Since Christ fulfilled the Old Testament, nearly every Orthodox parent presents their newborn child for the 40 Day Blessing. That doesn't mean Orthodox mothers have to barricade themselves at home for 40 Days although if some wish to stay home for 40 Days, no one is stopping them.

Since Christ fulfilled the Old Testament, nearly every Orthodox parent presents their newborn child for the 40 Day Blessing. That doesn't mean Orthodox mothers have to barricade themselves at home for 40 Days although if some wish to stay home for 40 Days, no one is stopping them.

Since Christ fulfilled the Old Testament, nearly every Orthodox parent presents their newborn child for the 40 Day Blessing. That doesn't mean Orthodox mothers have to barricade themselves at home for 40 Days although if some wish to stay home for 40 Days, no one is stopping them.

What is driving your confusion?

So you are saying they choose to do it from their own accord not because it is a Church requirement?

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Let your will be done O Lord Jesus Christ through the intercession of you All Pure Mother and all the saints!

My wife was glad to get out of the house, at least for a few minutes, after three weeks. Yet it really does take about six weeks to fully recover, even if there are no tears during childbirth (which can take even longer to recover). Forty days of rest is medically sound, even if there is no spiritual requirement.

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"It is remarkable that what we call the world...in what professes to be true...will allow in one man no blemishes, and in another no virtue."--Charles Dickens

Indeed, congratulations and many years! I think the first time I left the house after our daughter was born was day 6 and it was with mixed feelings. I was glad to see the outdoors but I was terrified of how to get this fragile little girl from point A to point B.

Yeah, as far as physically and emotionally it takes a couple of weeks to feel up to going any where and I really didn't even feel human again until six weeks after birth. As far as the church goes, there is nothing I know of forbidding your wife from attending, confessing, or taking communion. My priest advised me to come back when I felt ready and I believe we came two weeks after she was born. Of course, as mentioned by others, there are cultural differences in each parish.

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Human beings, who are almost unique in having the ability to learn from the experience of others, are also remarkable for their apparent disinclination to do so. -- Douglas Adams

After baby two I walked about 1/3 of the way around greenlake (about a mile I think) to take my eldest to the park within a couple days of giving birth. After baby 3 I went to the grocery store within a day. The more kids you have the less likely it is that you can stay home for very long, if at all. I was pretty slow on these outings, but they were necessary for the sanity of the family.

Just don't try to squat down for the full six weeks. You can stop bleeding within about 1-2 weeks if you are careful with babies 2 and on. If the bleeding stopped and then restarted after activity it is a good sign that you are over doing it.

Once we have baby #4 I will likely observe the 40 days of staying home from Liturgy. My husband can take the older three. It is a good chance to establish nursing routines and have one on one time with a child that otherwise wouldn't have it. Even with nursing all kids after the first one rarely get that one on one time with mommy.

I suggest you get someone to come over while babe naps so you two can get something to snack on. Even just a half hour of "adult time" will do wonders for her sanity and your connection as husband and wife. It is easier to be away in increasing increments than to go for 2 hours the first time. We mommies will find any reason to feel guilty

You're right, it's hard to find time to do things with a wee one. The first time Mr. Y and I went out on the town without Caitlin we were starting to miss her within an hour. I started talking about her the instant we drove away from her grandparents.

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Human beings, who are almost unique in having the ability to learn from the experience of others, are also remarkable for their apparent disinclination to do so. -- Douglas Adams